John Goodman retrial - Live Stream --- Start date: 10/6/2014

ishi wrote:Oh no did I miss it?

Oh, Ishi, you did.  Here's a very short replay:




Another video:

John Goodman jurors fought boredom with power walks, shopping while cut off from outside world for 19 days
November 23, 2014


They caught a matinee showing of the action movie "John Wick," spent Sundays poolside at PGA National Resort and Spa and dined at LongHorn Steakhouse, TooJay's Gourmet Deli and Hurricane Grill and Wings.

When they weren't listening to testimony at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, the 10 jurors sequestered for polo magnate John Goodman's DUI manslaughter retrial were treated to brief excursions meant to keep them from living what Judge Jeffrey Colbath described as a "monk-like existence."

This locked-down, essentially cut-off-from-the-outside-world lifestyle lasted 19 days for the six women and four men from Hillsborough County. Overall, they just didn't get out much while under close watch by a corps of 34 sheriff's deputies at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, a newly released activity log shows.


Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-goodman-jurors-log-20141121-story.html#page=1

Goodman asks appellate court to order release while he appeals conviction
November 24, 2014  5:43 PM


Palm Beach County Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath's refusal Friday to grant bond for John Goodman pending his DUI manslaughter appeal is "unreasonable and an abuse of discretion," say the Wellington polo magnate's attorneys.
Wellington polo magnate sentenced to 16 years, denied bond during appeal

In a sharply-worded pleading filed Sunday, lawyers for Goodman, 51, asked the 4th District Court of Appeal for an expedited review of Colbath's decision to leave the felon behind bars. On Monday, the appellate court ordered the state Attorney General's Office to respond within five days to Goodman's fight for freedom.


Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-john-goodman-bond-appeal-20141124-story.html

Judge denies third trial for John Goodman in new order
December 1, 2014  7:41 PM

Palm Beach County Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath on Monday formally denied convicted Wellington polo club founder John Goodman's quest for a third DUI manslaughter trial.

The written order backs up what Colbath told Goodman in court on Nov. 19, two days before he was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the Feb. 12, 2010, death of Scott Patrick Wilson, 23.

...The judge said Goodman should not be allowed on house arrest pending the outcome of the expected 18-month to two-year appeals process.

...But Colbath Monday wrote Goodman suffered no injustices during the second trial, held over 15 days in October by a jury selected in Tampa and sequestered in Palm Beach County.

The judge concluded, "no legal or factual grounds have been presented establishing that the Defendant did not receive a fair and impartial trial."

Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fl-john-goodman-new-trial-denied-20141201-story.html

Good judge.
Let the healing begin for the family and friends of Scott Wilson.

I am a fan of Judge Colbath

Weeziethm wrote:I am a fan of Judge Colbath

Me, too! He's awesome!

State: John Goodman should not get appellate bond
December 3, 2014  6:23 PM

...Assistant Attorney General Richard Valuntas defended the judge's decision, and blasted the International Polo Club Palm Beach founder in a 15-page response. In particular, he condemned Goodman's trial testimony in October.

On the stand, Goodman "spun a fanciful tale about how his Bentley malfunctioned, his pain was so severe after the crash that he left the crash site, walked down the street, entered a 'man cave' located inside a dark building, and alleviated his pain by consuming alcohol," Valuntas wrote.

"Such testimony defies logic and common sense, especially when petitioner could have simply taken some of his prescription hydrocodone pills (which were inside his car at the time of the crash) to alleviate the pain," he continued.

Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-goodman-bond-appeal-response-20141203-story.html

Confidential agreement reached in fight over Scott Wilson's ashes
Wednesday, December 3 2014, 07:31 PM EST


DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) -- The dispute over the ashes of the young man killed by Wellington polo mogul John Goodman, has apparently been resolved.

The divorced parents of 23-year old Scott Wilson finally reached an agreement on Wednesday in a locked courtroom, out of the view of the media.

CBS 12 cameras were there as Scott Wilson’s mother, Lili Wilson, left the South County Courthouse in Delray Beach late Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by her attorney.

The lawyer would only say there had  been an agreement over Scott Wilson’s ashes, but that agreement was confidential.

Read more:  http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_20975.shtml

John Goodman heading to prison
Updated: 7:13 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, 2014 | Filed in: News

Nearly five years after he ran a stop sign in Wellington and caused the crash that killed a 23-year-old man, polo mogul John Goodman is finally headed to prison.

On Friday an appellate court waved away Goodman’s last chance to go free while he fights to get a third trial in the February 2010 death of Scott Patrick Wilson. That means Goodman, 51, will soon leave the Palm Beach County jail and head to a Florida state prison and begin serving his 16-year prison sentence.

...Now, according to attorneys and prison officials, Goodman will likely head to the South Florida Reception Center in Opa-Locka, one of four state prison processing centers where prisoners are held before they are transferred to other prisons.

It’s not clear where Goodman will eventually go, or whether the facility will be medium or maximum security. Though defense attorneys sometimes ask for inmates to be housed close to friends and family, Goodman’s attorneys made no such request. Ultimately Florida Department of Corrections officials send prisoners wherever they decide.


Read more:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/today-could-be-day-for-john-goodman-to-get-right-t/njLw8/

Hi, Curious!

Thank you for the informative update!

Doing a "happy dance" here!    

It is past time for Goodman to start serving his prison term.  And .. . . I hope he thinks of Scott Wilson everyday.  Had Goodman not been drunk and ran the Stop Sign, Scott Wilson would have not been killed by Goodman that fatal night.  

I really have no tolerance for drunk drivers.

John Goodman got more breaks than the average citizen does .. .. .  house arrest prior to Trial #2  . . . the luxury of being in a luxurious mansion; playing tennis; swimming; eating whatever; socializing with friends, etc.    

I am so happy that the Appellate Court did the right thing and of course Judge Colbath rocks!  He sentenced Goodman to 16 years in the first trial and sentenced him to 16 in the second trial.  Judge Colbath could have sentenced Goodman to less time but he did the right thing also.

I hope John Goodman realizes it is not about him.  It is about justice for Scott Wilson . .. .gone long before his time .. .thanks to John Goodman!

~ ~ ~ Justice for Scott Wilson prevailed! ~ ~ ~

Ann - Tx wrote:
Hi, Curious!

Thank you for the informative update!

Doing a "happy dance" here!    

It is past time for Goodman to start serving his prison term.  And .. . . I hope he thinks of Scott Wilson everyday.  Had Goodman not been drunk and ran the Stop Sign, Scott Wilson would have not been killed by Goodman that fatal night.  

I really have no tolerance for drunk drivers.

John Goodman got more breaks than the average citizen does .. .. .  house arrest prior to Trial #2  . . . the luxury of being in a luxurious mansion; playing tennis; swimming; eating whatever; socializing with friends, etc.    

I am so happy that the Appellate Court did the right thing and of course Judge Colbath rocks!  He sentenced Goodman to 16 years in the first trial and sentenced him to 16 in the second trial.  Judge Colbath could have sentenced Goodman to less time but he did the right thing also.

I hope John Goodman realizes it is not about him.  It is about justice for Scott Wilson . .. .gone long before his time .. .thanks to John Goodman!

~ ~ ~  Justice for Scott Wilson prevailed! ~ ~ ~

You're very welcome, Ann!

Apparently, Goodman is in for a rude awakening because the prison is going to be much harder than jail.  He deserves every bit of it.

He seems to be too full of himself to ever consider Scott Wilson, I'm sad to say.  He has refused to take responsibility for his actions, and without that, I don't think he'd ever give Scott another thought.  IMO, he'd only think about Scott if he was remorseful, and we all know he's not.

Judge Colbath rocks!  

John Goodman Jury Tampering Suspect to Remain in Jail Without Bond
By Chris Joseph Tue., Dec. 9 2014 at 12:16 PM


As with his first trial, convicted polo magnate John Goodman's retrial wasn't without drama. Among the bigger issues was over a Vermont con man who offered to screw up the trial for big cash.

The man, James Perron, 48, allegedly texted a witness and Goodman confidant Kris Kampsen saying he'd be willing to sway the jury in exchange for $500,000. He upped the offer to $1 million if he was able to orchestrate an acquittal for Goodman.

Perron was eventually pinched in an FBI sting operation in New York and is being held in the Palm Beach County Jail. On Tuesday, fearing that Perron could be a flight risk, a judge ruled that the con man would not be freed on bond.

...Perron has an extensive rap sheet. He was convicted of attempted murder, rape, and sodomy in 1989 in Vermont.

In 2014, Perron was busted trying to scam $50,000 from a elderly couple he did work for as a handyman and general contractor in New York. He's facing a grand larceny charge.

Read more:  http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2014/12/john_goodman_jury_tampering_suspect_to_remain_in_jail_without_bond.php

Former polo mogul Goodman prefers Glades County prison
December 11, 2014  7:10 PM


Now that he's heading to state prison, Wellington polo club founder John Goodman says he'd like to go to Moore Haven Correctional Facility in Glades County.

...So in a motion filed Wednesday, Goodman's attorney asked Palm Beach County Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath to recommend to the Department of Corrections that Goodman grab a cell at the Moore Haven lockup.

...In an order Tuesday, Colbath ordered Goodman to immediately pay $292,000 to the corrections department, which equals $50 a day for his incarceration costs for the next 16 years.

Colbath also ordered Goodman to reimburse the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office $92,768, to cover prosecution costs for both the 2012 trial and the October retrial.

Finally, the judge wants Goodman to pay back $29,616 to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, to cover investigation costs.

Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-goodman-prison-request-20141211-story.html

(My comment:  his sense of entitlement that he can choose which prison he goes to is just astonishing to me.)

Judge returns $4 million bond to John Goodman’s siblings
2:58 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014 | Filed in: News

With John Goodman headed to prison on DUI manslaughter charges, his brother and sister will finally get the $2 million apiece they shelled out to keep him free.

In a court order issued today, Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath ordered the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller’s office to release Goodman’s $4 million bond in equal $2 million wire transfers to H. Greg Goodman and Betsy Abell.

Read more:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/judge-returns-4-million-bond-to-john-goodmans-sibl/njTHz/

Court grants request John Goodman be moved to state prison in Moore Haven
Posted: Dec 17, 2014 7:26 AM PST


WEST PALM BEACH, FL (WFLX) - A court Wednesday granted a request by John Goodman's lawyers to allow the convicted polo mogul to be moved from the Palm Beach County Jail to a state prison in Moore Haven.

...Wednesday's ruling directs the Palm Beach County's Sheriff's Office to proceed with the transport of Goodman to the Department of Corrections in Moore Haven.

Read more:  http://www.wflx.com/story/27650401/court-grants-request-john-goodman-be-moved-to-state-prison-in-moore-haven

EXCLUSIVE — Polo Mogul John Goodman Leaves County Jail . . . on Way to Miami State Prison!
December 19, 2014 by Jose Lambiet


WEST PALM BEACH — Under the cover of pre-dawn darkness, Wellington polo mogul John Goodman was whisked out of the Palm Beach County lockup and into a van of the state’s prison system bound for the Miami area, Gossip Extra has learned exclusively.

The 51-year-old former U.S. Open-winning polo patron was scheduled to be at the Department of Corrections‘ South Florida Reception Center in Doral by mid-morning, a source at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office told us.

Once at the SFRC Goodman, who was convicted of DUI manslaughter in the killing of motorist Scott Wilson in a 2010 car accident in Wellington, will be processed and shipped to the prison that could be his permanent home for the entirety of his 16-year sentence.

Read more:  http://gossipextra.com/2014/12/19/john-goodman-polo-dui-state-prison-4257/

Thanks, CP, for all of the updates!

He is where he needs to be!

Weeziethm wrote:Thanks, CP, for all of the updates!

He is where he needs to be!

You're welcome, Weezie!  Yes, he is!  

No more steaks or fancy meals, no more alcohol, no hydrocodone, no cocaine.  Whatever will he do to get through it?   Oops, that sounded like I care...NOT!  

New-look John Goodman arrives at Miami reception center
7:49 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 | Filed in: Crime

John Goodman arrived at the South Florida reception center in Miami with a new haircut.



Goodman, serving a 16-year sentence for DUI manslaughter in a prison, will remain at the center for the next month or so while Florida Department of Corrections officials determine where to place him. He had been held at the Palm Beach County Jail since his conviction Oct. 28.

Read more:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/john-goodman-revealed/njXyQ/

John Goodman moved to new prison facility (Video)

By: John Sparks
Posted: 12:21 PM, Jan 6, 2015
Updated: 6:04 PM, Jan 6, 2015

John Goodman is being housed at a new prison facility.

He has been transferred to the Reception and Medical Center West in Lake Butler, Florida.

He had been held at the South Florida Reception Center in Doral.

Read more:

http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/wellington/john-goodman-moved-to-new-prison-facility

Overtime for deputies in John Goodman retrial cost at least $73,243

By Brittany Shammas
Sun Sentinel

January 9, 2015, 6:57 PM

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spent at least $73,243 on overtime for deputies who worked during John Goodman's DUI manslaughter retrial, according to a breakdown released Friday by the agency.

Thirty-four deputies worked around the clock to supervise and transport the six women and four men of the jury, who were sequestered at the PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens for 19 days while the trial was under way.

~Snipped~

Covering meals, hotel costs and pay for the jurors cost the public another $42,314, according to the Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller. An additional $11,661 was spent for the clerk's staff to work overtime.

Added together, the overtime paid out by the sheriff's and clerk's offices and jury costs comes to at least $127,291.

Read more:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-pbso-goodman-costs-20150109-story.html

John Goodman’s $93K prosecution costs to be held in court registry
6:07 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2014 | Filed in: News


Court clerks for now will hold on to the the nearly six-figure payout prosecutors say John Goodman owes them for his DUI manslaughter trial, according to an agreement made public today.

Before sentencing the Wellington polo club founder to 16 years in prison last month for the 2010 death of Scott Patrick Wilson, Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath ordered Goodman to pay nearly $93,000 in prosecution costs. The unusually high tab came at the end of two trials at the request of prosecutors Alan Johnson and Sherri Collins.


Read more:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/john-goodmans-93000-prosecution-costs-to-be-held-i/njcSt/

John Goodman moved to Madison Correctional Institute in North Florida
12:07 PM, Jan 12, 2015

Convicted Wellington polo mogul John Goodman has been moved to the Madison Correctional Institute in Madison, Florida.

Madison is a small town in North Florida, along I-10 between Live Oak and Tallahassee.

Read more:  http://www.wptv.com/news/state/john-goodman-moved-to-madison-correctional-institute-in-north-florida

EXCLUSIVE — Millionaire DUI Killer John Goodman Finds Home Far From Home . . . Could Work in Shoe Factory!
January 12, 2015 by Jose Lambiet


According to records, the 51-year-old Goodman has just arrived at the Madison Correctional Institution – what could be, if he behaves, his permanent home until March 2028.

The 1,200-inmate facility is located at the edge of the tiny town just south of the Georgia border, more than 360 miles from home!

So much for the recommendation of Judge Jeffrey Colbath, who presided over both of Goodman’s trials and sentenced him to 16 years in the killing of motorist Scott Wilson, that Goodman be incarcerated close to home!

It’s unclear at this point what the trust-funder former polo patron will be doing once he settles down, but job opportunities abound at the medium-security camp.

The campus includes a shoe factory and small textile studio, according to the state’s Department of Corrections website. There are also work details for inmates who volunteer to get out to pick up garbage on the side of highways.


Read more:  http://gossipextra.com/2015/01/12/john-goodman-dui-manslaugher-madison-prison-4335/

Suspect in Goodman jury swaying ploy moved to N.Y. to face other charges
January 16, 2015  8:15 PM

The federal case against a Vermont man accused of trying to extort at least $500,000 from polo magnate John Goodman by claiming he could throw his DUI manslaughter retrial is on hold while he faces charges in an unrelated case out of New York.

James D. Perron, 48, spent about two months jailed in Palm Beach County after being arrested and charged with three federal counts of wire fraud. Though he said he could influence members of the jury in Goodman's case, prosecutors say he had no ability to do so and was simply trying to pull off a scam.

Now the Tinmouth, Vt., native is in custody in Westchester County, N.Y., where he was indicted on grand larceny charges in connection to a March incident. He was arraigned Friday and is being held without bail, a spokesman for the Westchester County district attorney's office said.

Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-juror-tampering-delay-20150116-story.html

Case against arrested prospective Goodman juror delayed
January 19, 2015  5:44 PM


The contempt of court case against a prospective juror arrested during jury selection for John Goodman's DUI manslaughter retrial has been pushed back to April.

Though an attorney for Travis Van Vliet had hoped to work out a plea deal by last week, the case is still pending. During a Friday afternoon hearing in a Hillsborough County courtroom, the case disposition was postponed to April 9.

Van Vliet, 23, a criminology student from Lithia, was taken out of jury selection in handcuffs Oct. 9 after admitting to Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Colbath he had researched the Goodman case on the Internet and told another potential juror what he'd learned.

The judge had repeatedly told the panel of 220 prospective jurors — who were not allowed to know the case was being retried – not to discuss the case or seek out information on it. He said Van Vliet had defied his court order and had him taken to jail.

Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-goodman-juror-case-continued-brief-20150119-story.html

John Goodman's attorneys encouraged about his appeal
Granted oral arguments about blood draws
Brian Entin  Posted  5:12 PM, Sep 4, 2015  Updated 6:21 PM, Sep 4, 2015

Polo mogul John Goodman's fight for a new trial received some encouragement Friday.

According to Goodman's defense team,  an appeals court is allowing it to argue why Florida’s rules regarding blood draws are not reliable.

Oral arguments are not always granted which is why Goodman’s team considers the court decision favorable.

...The oral arguments will happen in November.

Read more:  http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/wellington/john-goodmans-attorneys-encouraged-about-his-appeal

Goodman DUI manslaughter appeals still on track
September 11, 2015  11:05 AM

Wellington polo club founder John Goodman's two appeals concerning his DUI manslaughter case are heading toward key developments in November.

...But two court decisions recently tipped in his favor.

On Sept. 4, the 4th District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach granted Goodman's request for one of his attorneys to speak directly to a panel of three judges concerning the first challenge — over his long-disputed blood sample. These arguments will be heard Nov. 9.

...And on Tuesday, the same appeals court granted a request from another Goodman lawyer for extra time to officially launch the second challenge. This is the main appeal of last year's DUI manslaughter failure to render aid conviction, and the punishment imposed by Palm Beach County Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath.

After a 60-day extension, this pleading now is due by Nov. 7.

Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-goodman-appeals-update-20150911-story.html

John Goodman's attorneys seek credit for time served
Lawyers want credit for time under house arrest

Jason Hackett
4:49 AM, Nov 10, 2015

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Attorneys for John Goodman appeared in a Palm Beach County courtroom Tuesday morning, asking a judge to grant their client credit for time served.

Attorney Margaret Good-Earnest told a judge that after his 2012 conviction, Goodman was required to comply with the state's condition that he remain under 24-hour care, custody and control of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

Good-Earnest said Goodman is seeking credit for 368 days for time served.

The state says while Goodman was under custody of PBSO, he was afforded opportunities people in jail wouldn't normally have.

Goodman was allowed to use computers and phones, have visitors over and even participate in salsa lessons, an attorney for the state argued....

http://www.wptv.com//news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/john-goodman-hearing-scheduled-for-8-am-tuesday?audiencePageId=1361469208

Blood evidence in John Goodman case topic of Monday's appeal hearing
Goodman convicted of DUI manslaughter
UPDATED 6:14 PM EST Nov 09, 2015

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —Attorneys for John Goodman spent about an hour in front of three judges at the 4th District Court of Appeals Monday arguing a key piece of evidence in an effort to get his sentence reduced or a third trial.

Read more:  http://www.wpbf.com/news/blood-evidence-in-john-goodman-case-topic-of-mondays-appeal-hearing/36339244

Judge rules John Goodman won't get credit for time served
John Sparks
4:06 PM, Nov 24, 2015

"....Goodman was seeking credit for 368 days for time served...."

"....Judge Jeffrey Colbath determined that although Goodman's liberty was restricted under house arrest, he was able to live in his own house, wear his own clothes, and have family and friends over to visit. The judge said Goodman was able to continue working in his office, travel outside of Palm Beach County for doctor's appointments and to meet with his attorneys on a regular basis.

Citing a Fourth District Court of Appeal precedent the judge wrote, "A criminal defendant is not entitled to jail credit for time spent on house arrest."..."

http://www.wptv.com//news/region-c-palm-beach-county/wellington/judge-rules-john-goodman-wont-get-credit-for-time-served?audiencePageId=1384386517

John Goodman appeals his 2014 DUI manslaughter conviction


In a 136-page brief filed with the 4th District Court of Appeal on Thursday, attorney Margaret Good-Earnest offers 14 separate reasons Goodman’s conviction and 16-year prison sentence should be thrown out.

http://www.courtchatter.com/#!John-Goodman-appeals-his-2014-DUI-manslaughter-conviction/c1oiw/56b5183e0cf26832893bff7b

Weeziethm wrote:John Goodman appeals his 2014 DUI manslaughter conviction


In a 136-page brief filed with the 4th District Court of Appeal on Thursday, attorney Margaret Good-Earnest offers 14 separate reasons Goodman’s conviction and 16-year prison sentence should be thrown out.

http://www.courtchatter.com/#!John-Goodman-appeals-his-2014-DUI-manslaughter-conviction/c1oiw/56b5183e0cf26832893bff7b

He will keep appealing if only to take it off his income tax!
He has nothing else to do other than to refuse responsibility for his actions.
Poor, pathetic him.

Juror fears jail after appeals court upholds contempt convictions from Goodman DUI manslaughter case
March 30, 2016  7:48 PM

Dennis DeMartin was at his assisted living apartment in New Haven, Conn., when he got the dreaded call Wednesday from his attorney in Palm Beach County.

The 72-year-old ailing retiree heard he might be forced back to jail after losing his appeal of juror misconduct charges arising from John Goodman's first DUI manslaughter trial.

...In an eight-page opinion, the Fourth District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach cited "substantial" evidence that supports the criminal contempt convictions and punishment lodged two years ago against the beleaguered former juror.

Read more:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/fl-juror-dennis-demartin-loses-appeal-20160330-story.html

John Goodman juror Dennis DeMartin sentenced
DeMartin given credit for 37 days in jail

Scott Sutton
1:14 PM, Jun 3, 2016

"...WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - John Goodman juror Dennis DeMartin was sentenced Friday to 37 days in jail after he was found guilty of contempt of court charges.

However, DeMartin was given credit for the 37 days he had previously spent in jail and was allowed to leave court without receiving any additional jail time.

During Goodman's trial in 2012,DeMartin lied about his ex-wife’s DUI arrest, forcing Goodman's case to be tried again...."



http://www.wptv.com//news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/john-goodman-juror-dennis-demartin-sentenced?audiencePageId=1702528118

John Goodman loses last pending appeal in DUI manslaughter case

Posting article.the article is behind a paywall.

John Goodman loses last pending appeal in DUI manslaughter case

Jane Musgrave @pbpcourts
Saturday
Mar 10, 2018 at 12:01 AM Apr 17, 2018 at 8:29 PM


More than three years after Wellington polo mogul John Goodman was convicted for a second time of DUI manslaughter in the 2010 crash that killed 23-year-old Scott Wilson, the Florida Supreme Court late Friday rejected his final pending appeal.

In a one-sentence order, the state’s high court said it wasn’t going to consider Goodman’s claims that the West Palm Beach-based 4th District Court of Appeal erred in October when it upheld his conviction and 16-year prison sentence.

"It is ordered that the petition for review is denied," wrote the court that has wide latitude to decide which cases it will consider.

The high court’s decision came weeks after it rejected Goodman’s claims that his conviction should be thrown out because of the way his blood was drawn after the alcohol-fueled crash in Wellington that claimed the engineering graduate’s life.

The founder of the International Polo Club claimed the use of a small-diameter needle to draw his blood and lax procedures at a lab falsely elevated his blood-alcohol level to 0.177 percent — more than twice the level at which Florida drivers are by law considered impaired. Justices ruled that the procedures established by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are sufficient to protect against false readings.

With his direct appeals exhausted, like other inmates, Goodman could seek a new trial by claiming his top-flight legal team was incompetent. Or, in what attorneys describe as a move that is rarely successful, he could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Florida Supreme Court’s refusal to consider his latest appeal.

"I’m not saying his hopes are completely squashed, but his chances are extremely unlikely," said one attorney, who asked not to be identified.

The 54-year-old heir to a Texas heating and air conditioning fortune has repeatedly shown that he doesn’t go down without a drawn-out fight. The case snared international headlines when he adopted his then-girlfriend to protect his millions from Wilson’s parents, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against him.

The adoption was later thrown out, and Goodman ultimately agreed to pay William and Lili Wilson $46 million to settle the lawsuit.

One of the main claims in his latest appeal was that his defense was hampered during his 2014 trial because, prior to the second trial, state prosecutors destroyed the Bentley he was driving in the fatal crash. At both trials he claimed the $250,000 car spontaneously accelerated, leaving him powerless to stop it from slamming into Scott Wilson’s car, shoving it into a canal where the young man drowned.

The destruction of the Bentley between his first and second trial meant his automotive experts couldn’t examine it and jurors couldn’t see it, he claimed. In rejecting his assertions, the appeals court noted that Goodman was convicted of the same charge in 2012 when the Bentley was available. It also rejected his claims that his sentence was too severe because the jury convicted him of failing to render aid to Wilson.

Goodman’s first conviction was overturned due to jury misconduct. In a self-published book, one of the jurors described conducting his own drinking experiment to determine if Goodman had been intoxicated on the night of the crash. The second trial produced the same verdict and prison sentence.

Goodman is being held in the Wakulla Correctional Institution south of Tallahassee. His expected release date is June 7, 2029, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.